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Young Leaders Who Will Shape RMCC History
By: WJO
Top 5 answers e-Veritas questions about what changes they would like to see at RMCC, what contributions they would like to make, who influenced them most as a I, II, III Year and who inspired them the most and what makes a good leader.
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26459 OCdt Gabrielle Archambault – Cadet Wing Commander (CWC)
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26634 OCdt Kevin Marshall Pathinather – Deputy Cadet Wing Commander (DCWC)
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26810 OCdt Makyla St.Onge Cadet Wing Training Officer (CWTO)
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26554 Brittany Destiny Germain, Cadet Wing Administration Officer (CWAdO)
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26705 OCdt Cassidy Chang – Cadet Wing Operations officer (CWOpsO)
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26459 OCdt Gabrielle Archambault – Cadet Wing Commander (CWC)
Background: My name is 26459 Gabrielle Archambault and I will be the Cadet Wing Commander for the 2015 fall semester. I did my prep & first year at CMRSJ. I come from Gatineau, Québec.
Degree/Occupation: I am currently studying to have a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. My occupation is Armoured 00178. I completed my DP1.1 ARTL during the summer of 2014 and I look forward to complete the rest of my training after graduating from RMC.
Interests/Hobbies: I enjoy participating in a variety of activities. During the last four years at the CMRSJ & RMC I was able to participate in different kind sports. I was able to join the taekwondo competitive team as well as the competitive rowing team, but I was also able to enjoy participating in the annual broomball tournament in St-Jean. I love all sorts of outdoor activities such as camping & hiking.
What changes would you like to see at RMCC?
I would like for people to be motivated again. There’s seems to be a lack of sense of belonging for a while now. The Top 5 and all the other barmen will certainly do their part to improve the morale of the Cadet Wing. That way, people will be motivated and they will want to surpass themselves and become better leaders. I personally would be very happy to see improvement regarding the fitness level of the Cadet Wing in general. We are working on initiatives to improves that component and we are doing are best to put in place resources for people to be successful.
What kind of contribution would you like to make to RMCC?
I would like to be able to contribute by giving all the time I have to the Cadet Wing. RMC would be nothing without the cadets, therefore it is where we must focus a lot of our energy on. Good preparation and morale will improve motivation and therefore improve performance. This will only benefit RMCC in the long run, by providing it and Canada with leaders of all sorts and individuals that motivated to work hard and surpass challenges.
Which senior cadet(s) influenced you most as a I, II, III Year and how?
I could not name only one. I would say the entire first cadet chain of authority that I was under in prep year in CMRSJ. They were all hardworking individuals who taught me a lot.
What– in your opinion– makes a good leader?
Flexibility, honesty & determination.
Which person(s) (excluding parents / family members) inspired you the most to be the person you are today?
Manon Turgeon. She was my philosophy teacher in CMRSJ. She is one of the most honest person I have ever met. She influenced me at the very beginning of my journey at college and she greatly influenced the way I think today.
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26634 OCdt Kevin Marshall Pathinather – Deputy Cadet Wing Commander (DCWC)
My name is Kevin Marshall Pathinather and I was born in Mississauga, ON in 1994. I was born two years after my parents immigrated to Canada as refugees. Until moving to Kingston to attend RMC in 2012, I had spent my entire life in Mississauga and Brampton.
I applied for the CAF in the hopes of becoming an Engineering Officer but am currently slated to become a RCEME Officer. I still hope to one day become an Engineering Officer in the Army. As well, I’m currently enrolled in Chemical Engineering and hope to successfully complete my final year of Undergraduate studies in the upcoming school year.
I am a member of the Varsity Soccer Team but I am also an avid player of all sports. Basketball, badminton, squash, volleyball are all sports which I enjoy playing at recreational and competitive levels. I enjoy reading, going to the gym and spending time with friends and family.
What changes would you like to see at RMCC?
The biggest thing which I would like to see change at RMC is the culture. I believe that in the many day to day intricacies which is life at RMC, our mission is lost. And that mission is to become the best possible officers that we can and to one day become leaders in the CAF. I would like to see that attitude change occur and a stir a renewed effort from all cadets to be the best they can be.
I would also like to see cadets take a more active role in leadership. We tend to shy away from making decisions where I feel cadets must not be scared to make decisions but relish the opportunity to lead. I believe that as leadership we must promote these ideas in order to see a more active cadet wing.
What kind of contribution would you like to make to RMCC?
I’m honoured to be named DCWC and am proud that I have an opportunity to be a leader within the wing. I don’t have many grand ideas, but I hope to make and influence decisions which reflect the realities of day to day life at RMC. Giving the perspective of a first, second and third year is important to me and something which I hope to bring to every day.
Which senior cadet(s) influenced you most as a I, II, III Year and how?
As a first year, my FYOP CFL played a large in role in what I believe should happen at RMC. As I progressed I began to slowly take little bits from the many senior cadets at the college until I formed my own opinion on what makes a good leader at RMC. The biggest things I realized were that setting the example and maintaining your credibility was the only way to be an effective senior leader at the college.
What– in your opinion– makes a good leader?
A good leader to me is someone that is approachable, competent and confident. Confidence is not necessarily measured by decision making ability, but also by the ability to recognize one’s limitations and know when to ask for help. Being approachable is important if you hope to maintain a good working relationship with your subordinates. And finally, knowing your job and learning it to the best of your ability will only strengthen your credibility and make you a stronger leader.
Which person(s) (excluding parents / family members) inspired you the most to be the person you are today?
I gain inspiration from every successful person I see. The drive, effort and time it takes people to become masters of their craft inspires me to dig deeper to aspire to be the best that I can be on a daily basis. As an avid sports fan, many of my favourite athletes make me only want to be better at what I do, regardless of what that is.
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26810 OCdt Makyla St.Onge Cadet Wing Training Officer (CWTO)
Background: My name is Makyla St.Onge and I am the incoming CWTO. I was born in Penetanguishene, Ontario, but spent most of my life living in Ottawa. I joined the Canadian Armed Forces in July 2012 as a future CAF pilot. I spent my first year at CMR Saint-Jean, and my subsequent years at the RMCC in Kingston.
Degree/Occupation: I am a student in the Honours Business and Administration Program, and I am currently in the midst of completing my Phase I Flight Training.
Varsity: I play for the RMCC Women’s Volleyball team as a libero.
Interests: My interests at the college have primarily involved drill. I have been a drill instructor, a FYOP staff, and a member/the Coordinator/the Commander of the RMCC Precision Drill Team. I also enjoy flying, and I hope to one day fly Griffons.
What changes would you like to see at RMCC?
More team building squadron activities.
What kind of contribution would you like to make to RMCC?
Set the example for newer members of the college to emulate.
Which senior cadet(s) influenced you most as a I, II, III Year and how?
Our FYOP staff and section commanders.
What– in your opinion– makes a good leader?
Being able to see the big picture and being relatable.
Which person(s) (excluding parents / family members) inspired you the most to be the person you are today?
The officers and NCMs I had the opportunity to work with when I was in the cadet program.
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26554 Brittany Destiny Germain, Cadet Wing Administration Officer (CWAdO)
Program/Occupation: My prorgram of study is Business Administration with a minor in Psychology. I started off as a Psychology in first and second year but decided to switch to Busines Administration at the start of second year in hopes of expanding my scope of knowledge at the college and opening the opportunity to complete my MBA at some point in my career.
I believe that this program will also allow me to be the most prepared as a future Air Force Logistician. Upon graduation my preferred specialty is to become a Transport Officer.
Born/raised: I was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba. However, due to the fact that both my parents were military I did not stay there very long. I have lived in Winnipeg, Victoria, Toronto, Ottawa, North Bay and now my parents have retired in Ottawa which is great for me because it allows for pretty consistent visits throughout my four years at the college.
Sports/Extra curriculars: In first and second years I was lucky enough to be part of the competitive sailing team, having received the chance to travel across Ontario and Quebec, down to Annapolis twice and even to Italy twice to compete in international regattas.
In third year I chose to focus more on school and individual fitness while getting involved in IMs. In terms of extra curriculars I have been very involved in Squadron and Wing activities, my first big introduction to this in second year as 2IC 2IC for the Graduation Ball and again when I was IC for the 2014 Winter Ball. This ball came with a lot of changes and push back from the cadet wing but I learned a lot from this experienced and when everything ran smoothly that evening it was definitely my best memory at the college thus far.
Interest/Hobbies: My main hobbies include cooking, running, visual arts and my family. Thus far I have completed 4 half marathons and I am intending on completing the Army run in Setpember if the schedule allows. In terms of cooking and visual arts it becomes a bit more difficult at the college but I have always been a very creative person and having my family close has allowed me the necessary outlet to express myself in those ways. My time with my family is the most important part of my life so I’m extremely fortunate to have my sister in Kingston and parents in Ottawa.
What changes would you like to see at RMCC?
I would like to see morale improve at the school especially this year with the new changes coming in the cadet wing its important to keep morale high.
What kind of contribution would you like to make to RMCC?
I’d like to contribute to helping ensure that communication at RMCC runs smoother. Whether that be just as a whole or through our distinct CoA. When there is an open communication at the college it helps improve morale and a sense of unity. This communication can be improved through things as simple as just giving the why when tasking cadets or when new directives are being passed down.
Which senior cadet(s) influenced you most as a I, II, III Year and how?
In my first year at the college my biggest influences were my FYOP staff because it was really my first glance at the college and they were great role models for my flight. As years went on I started to look more at the senior leadership at the college because I knew that in fourth year I wanted to have the opportunity.
What– in your opinion– makes a good leader?
I think one of the most important characteristics of a good leader at RMCC is to be approachable. This is because in an environment where you are leading your peers it is important to make sure that they feel that they can talk to you and that you can represent their best interest to the training wing. I also think that you have to be motivated because it is easy to be brought down by some of the negative aspects of the university life but you have to remember that you still have a job to do.
Which person(s) (excluding parents / family members) inspired you the most to be the person you are today?
Growing up in a military family meant that I moved around a lot so that helped me discover that I wanted to join. When moving around I met a lot of different people my parents worked with and it helped show me what styles of leadership I liked and disliked.
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26705 OCdt Cassidy Chang – Cadet Wing Operations officer (CWOpsO)
Background: My name is Cassidy Chang and I will be taking the roll of CWOpsO. I was born in Richmond, British Colombia, but was raised in Ladner a small town just outside Vancouver.
Degree/Occupation: I am aspiring to be an Aerospace Engineering Officer (AERE), 00185. I have completed BMOQ and APP1 (AERE phase 1 training).
I am currently in the process of a mechanical engineering degree. I have always known that I would take on an engineering degree, which helped influence my decision for my military occupation choice.
Varsity/Intramural: I have been on the RMC Women’s Varsity Volleyball team from my first to third year but will be taking my last year off. I played with the RMC Women’s Rugby team as well for a short tournament. I have also been a part of the CISM Women’s Volleyball team, where I travelled to Brazil and Detroit.
Interests: I am interested in sports and watching all the varsity teams’ play. I enjoy watching all types of movies. I also love experiencing different restaurants, especially being in Kingston there are so many different ones to try. I also enjoy camping and hiking.
Relevant information: I have a twin sister in 3 Sqn at the school as well, so I might be seen in two places at once. I have 6 sisters all from the same two parents. I am a mix of Chinese, Samoan, and Caucasian.
What changes would you like to see at RMCC?
Changes I would like to see at RMCC would be to have a larger turn out at Varsity games in order to motivate the teams.
What kind of contribution would you like to make to RMCC?
I want to have a positive impact on the way operations get done at the college by contributing my style of leadership and means of communication to the cadet wing.
Which senior cadet(s) influenced you most as a I, II, III Year and how?
My Varsity team captain influenced me the most throughout my years at RMCC. She was an engineer, played Varisity volleyball and also took on many leadership roles at the college, such as CSL. She showed me that I could go for whatever I wanted and would still be able to manage it. She is the reason why I applied for CWOpsO.
What– in your opinion– makes a good leader?
In my opinion a good leader motivates others, communicates well, and listens to others.
Which person(s) (excluding parents / family members) inspired you the most to be the person you are today?
One of the people who have inspired me the most to become the person that I am today is my highschool volleyball coach. She pushed me to be better, taught me the importance of teamwork and that I cannot do it all myself, and made sure that I understood belongingness.